Arden Key, LSU’s best defender, taking time away from football for personal reasons

LSU outside linebacker and defensive end Arden Key is taking a break from football, the program announced Wednesday. LSU cited personal matters as the reason.

“In consultation with our staff and his family, Arden Key has decided to take some time away from football for personal reasons,” Tigers coach Ed Orgeron said in a short release. “We fully support Arden in his decision and look forward to welcoming him back home to the Tiger family at the appropriate time.”

Key was a freshman All-American in 2015 and recently finished his sophomore season. A 6’6, 238-pound edge rusher from Atlanta, he had 12 sacks and 56 tackles last season, when he was named second-team all-conference. He’s figured to be one of the SEC’s best players next year and, eventually, a top NFL draft prospect.

LSU’s losing quite a bit from its defensive front, including ends Davon Godchaux and Lewis Neal. If Key missed any games next season, it’d hurt a lot, though LSU’s recruited well in its defensive front again this year. A Key absence for any period of time would leave LSU without its top six tacklers from last season.But none of that is what’s critical now. Best wishes to Key on getting through whatever has sidelined him.

But because of this year’s crop of free agent wide receivers and Pryor’s talent and production in 2016, he’ll have options in free agency. If the Browns were to apply the franchise tag to hold on to Pryor, it would likely cost Cleveland around $15.8 million, according to Joel Corry of CBS.

The Browns paid Pryor $1.671 million in 2016, and he’s likely to command around $8.9 million per year on a new deal, according to Spotrac’s projections.

Pryor’s agents are expected to have “strong discussions” with the Browns about his future. Pryor hopes that future will be in Cleveland.